Larry John Odens

Larry John Odens was born June 3, 1940 in Sibley, Iowa and died Sunday, March 20, 2022 at UNMC-Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska after three months of health issues following contracting COVID-19 at the beginning of January, 2022.

There will be a private graveside funeral service for immediate family members. He will receive full military honors which includes the 21-gun salute in honor of Larry’s eight years of service with the United States Air Force.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Gretna Fire & Rescue or the Gretna American Legion:

https://gretna-volunteer-fire-and-rescue-department.square.site/

https://www.gretnalegion216.com/

Larry was united in marriage to Rena Jane Tysver on June 20, 1958. They became proud parents of four children: Kim Lovina, Jan Catherine, Larry Scott and Michael John.

After serving in the Air Force, he worked at the Veterans Administration in Omaha, Nebraska in heating and air conditioning. Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved animals, especially his dogs. He enjoyed music and used to play lead guitar and sing with the Country Tones. Larry also enjoyed riding Harley Davidsons. He was proud of his accomplishment at the age of 50 becoming a private pilot and logging over 300 hours. When he retired at the age of 55, he was able to spend several months each year at Larry and Rena’s cabin on Dead Lake, Minnesota. After his fishing/hunting days came to an end, he spent several years feeding the geese and fish at Schramm Park State Recreation Area in Gretna, NE.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife Rena, their four children Kim Prososki of Gretna, NE; Jan (Kenny) Schnack of Crescent, IA; Scott (Jackie) Odens of Davenport, IA; and Mike (Melissa) Odens of Greenwood, NE. Grandchildren Nicholas (Serena), Joshua (Tiffany), Jeannie (Sonny), Kurtis, Johnathon, Marcus (Abby), Jeffrey, Michaela (Glenn), and Kendra (Justin). Great-grandchildren Jayden, Cody, Mia, Blake & Sawyer. Larry was always so happy that his great-grandchildren grew up knowing him because Rena was their day care provider for many years. Brother-in-law Louis Tysver, of Storm Lake, IA, sister Carol Bechler of Buffalo Center, IA; brother Wayne (Jayne) Wessels of Centerville, SD; brother Lennis Wessels of Sibley, IA; and Lori (Carl) Gochnauer of Lake Park, IA.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lovina Odens, mother-in-law Gertrude Tysver, brothers and sisters-in-law, Lawrence (Irene) Odens and Ben (Lois) Odens; brother David Wessels; sisters and brothers-in-law Lucille (Heye) Wessels, Mae (Henry) Wessels and Laura (Clarence) Christians, sisters-in-law Renolla and Connie Tysver, brother-in-law Jerry Bechler and granddaughter Abby Renee Prososki.

Blessed Be His Memory.